Assessing and analyzing local malaria problems are a prerequisite for
successful control interventions. We sought to assess the knowledge of
the symptoms of malaria, attitude towards preventive measures as well
as treatment seeking behaviors among members of the Ile-Ife community
in southwestern Nigeria. A cross sectional study was carried out using
a questionnaire, which was self or researcher administered to community
members of semi-urban Ile-Ife.Analysis of "what respondents will do
first" during malaria attack showed that 35.5%, 0.9% and 13.4% of
respondents will use synthetic anti-malarials, consult a herbalist and
use local herb, respectively, while 27.3%, 1.7% and 18.2% will go to
the hospital, take spiritual/ritual waters for cure and just pray,
respectively, with 3.0% of the respondents indicating that they will
ignore the signs. Factors influencing respondents' choice of malaria
treatment and preventive methods included cost, religious beliefs,
perceived safety, convenience and respondents' state of health for
22.7%, 5.4%, 20.8%, 26.5% and 24.6% of the respondents, respectively.
The use of insecticide impregnated net are uncommon amongst the
respondents (0%). Treatment seeking practice in malaria was related to
level of education and religion. We found that convenience and the
severity of the disease affected respondents' choice of treatment in
more than 50% of the cases. We suggest that malaria public
enlightenment efforts should be intensified, effective malaria
preventive methods be made affordable and that support be provided to
make malaria treatments at public hospitals free
